Stiffness rendering for a pencil

ABSTRACT

According to some embodiments, an accessory device for use with a touch sensitive portion of an electronic device is described. The accessory device can include a housing having walls that carry operational components, where the operational components include a processor coupled to a feedback component arranged to provide feedback and a distal tip coupled to the feedback component. The distal tip is capable of engaging with and transmitting a load applied to the housing to an external surface of the touch sensitive portion. The processor can be further coupled to a sensor in communication with the distal tip, the sensor being capable of (i) detecting a physical change when the distal tip engages with the external surface, and (ii) responding to the physical change by providing a detection signal to the processor, that, in response, instructs the feedback component to provide the feedback to the distal tip.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/592,029, entitled “STIFFNESS RENDERING FOR A PENCIL,” filedMay 10, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 62/397,243, entitled “STIFFNESS RENDERING FOR A PENCIL,” filed Sep.20, 2016, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in itsentirety for all purposes.

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/593,240, entitled “APPLE PENCIL HAPTICS”, by Taylor et al. filed May11, 2017, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/593,219, entitled “STYLUSWITH MULTIPLE INPUTS”, by Sundaram et al. filed May 11, 2017, and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/593,225, entitled “ACOUSTICS TO MATCHPENCIL/STYLUS INPUT”, by Wang et al. filed May 11, 2017, the contents ofwhich are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety for allpurposes.

FIELD

The described embodiments relate to an accessory device having afeedback component. More specifically, the accessory device can detect acontact stimulus that is applied to a housing of the accessory device,and the feedback component can generate tangible feedback at the housingthat is based on the contact stimulus.

BACKGROUND

Conventional electronic devices can include feedback components that areconfigured to generate user feedback so as to improve the overall userexperience. However, the feedback generated by such conventionalfeedback components is in isolation to the environment external to theelectronic device. Accordingly, there is a need for enhancing the user'sexperience by implementing feedback components in electronic devicesthat are capable of generating tangible feedback that is based on anamount of user contact with the electronic device.

SUMMARY

This paper describes various embodiments related to an accessory devicehaving a feedback component. More specifically, the accessory device candetect a contact stimulus that is applied to a housing of the accessorydevice, and the feedback component can generate tangible feedback at thehousing that is based on the contact stimulus.

According to some embodiments, an accessory device for use with a touchsensitive portion of an electronic device is described. The accessorydevice can include a housing having walls that carry operationalcomponents, where the operational components can include a processorcoupled to a feedback component arranged to provide feedback and adistal tip coupled to the feedback component, the distal tip extendingfrom an opening at a distal end of the housing, where the distal tip iscapable of engaging with and transmitting a load applied to the housingto an external surface of the touch sensitive portion. The processor canbe further coupled to a sensor in communication with the distal tip, thesensor being capable of (i) detecting a physical change when the distaltip engages with the external surface, and (ii) responding to thephysical change by providing a detection signal to the processor, that,in response, instructs the feedback component to provide the feedback tothe distal tip.

According to some embodiments, an electronic pencil is described. Theelectronic pencil can include a housing capable of carrying operationalcomponents, where the operational components can include a processorcapable of providing operational instructions and a sensor coupled tothe processor. The sensor can be capable of detecting a stimulus appliedto the housing and responding by (i) determining properties of thestimulus, and (ii) providing an instruction in accordance with theproperties of the stimulus to the processor. The operational componentscan further include a feedback component that is responsive to theinstruction received from the processor, where the instruction causesthe feedback component to alter a physical characteristic of the housingaccording to the properties of the stimulus.

According to some embodiments, a method for generating feedback at anaccessory device that includes a housing, a sensor carried by walls ofthe housing, a feedback component that provides a feedback force, and aprocessor in communication with the sensor and the feedback component,is described. The method can include in response to detecting, by thesensor, a stimulus that originates outside the housing: receiving, bythe processor, a detection signal from the sensor, and instructing, bythe processor, the feedback component to provide an amount of feedbackforce in accordance with the stimulus to the walls of the housing.

The described embodiments may be better understood by reference to thefollowing description and the accompanying drawings. Additionally,advantages of the described embodiments may be better understood byreference to the following description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detaileddescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein likereference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a system for generatingdeformation feedback, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate system views of a touch sensitive device forgenerating deformation feedback, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate cross-sectional views of a touch sensitive devicefor generating deformation feedback, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate cross-sectional views of a touch sensitive devicefor generating deformation feedback, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate various views of a piezoelectric element forgenerating deformation feedback, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate various views a piezoelectric element andmagnetic assembly for generating deformation feedback, in accordancewith some embodiments.

FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate cross-sectional views of a touch sensitive devicefor generating deformation feedback, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate cross-sectional views of a touch sensitive devicefor generating deformation feedback, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate cross-sectional views of a touch sensitive devicefor generating deformation feedback, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIGS. 10A-10B illustrate cross-sectional views of a touch sensitivedevice for generating deformation feedback, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIGS. 11A-11B illustrate cross-sectional views of a touch sensitivedevice for generating deformation feedback, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIGS. 12A-12D illustrate cross-sectional views of a touch sensitivedevice for generating deformation feedback, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIGS. 13A-13B illustrate cross-sectional views of a touch sensitivedevice for generating deformation feedback, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIGS. 14A-14B illustrate cross-sectional views of a touch sensitivedevice for generating deformation feedback, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIGS. 15A-15B illustrate perspective views of a touch sensitive devicefor generating deformation feedback, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of a system for generatingdeformation feedback, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 17A-17C illustrate cross-sectional views of a touch sensitivedevice for generating deformation feedback, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIGS. 18A-18B illustrate cross-sectional views of a touch sensitivedevice for generating deformation feedback, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 19 illustrates a block diagram of different components of a systemthat is configured to provide deformation feedback, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 20 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary list of feedbackpreferences associated with an application for generating deformationfeedback, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 21 illustrates exemplary contact parameters configured to bedetected by a touch sensitive device, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIGS. 22A-22B illustrate perspective views of a touch sensitive deviceconfigured to generate a varying load path, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 23A illustrates a method for generating deformation feedback by atouch sensitive device, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 23B illustrates a method for generating deformation feedback by atouch sensitive device, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 24 illustrates a method for generating deformation feedback by atouch sensitive device, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 25 illustrates a block diagram of an electronic device that can beused to interact with a touch sensitive device to implement the variouscomponents described herein, in accordance with some embodiments.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate and understand that, accordingto common practice, various features of the drawings discussed below arenot necessarily drawn to scale, and that dimensions of various featuresand elements of the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearlyillustrate the embodiments of the present invention described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure describes various embodiments of an accessorydevice including a deformation feedback component. Certain details areset forth in the following description and figures to provide a thoroughunderstanding of various embodiments of the present technology.Moreover, various features, structures, and/or characteristics of thepresent technology can be combined in other suitable structures andenvironments. In other instances, well-known structures, materials,operations, and/or systems are not shown or described in detail in thefollowing disclosure to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description ofthe various embodiments of the technology. Those of ordinary skill inthe art will recognize, however, that the present technology can bepracticed without one or more of the details set forth herein, or withother structures, methods, components, and so forth.

Conventional electronic devices can include a variety of differentfeedback components for stimulating a variety of a user's senses.Additionally, such electronic devices can include haptic feedbackcomponents for stimulating the user's sense of touch. While such hapticfeedback components can stimulate the nerves within the user'sappendages by applying force, vibrations, or motions that can beperceived by the user, the feedback that is generated by the hapticfeedback components is generally static and inflexible, as well as thefeedback generated is in isolation to the environment external to theelectronic device. In one example, the external environment can refer toan amount of contact (e.g., strain or pressure) that is applied by theuser against a housing of the electronic device. Haptic feedbackcomponents found in conventional electronic devices are non-responsiveto such contact that is applied to the housing, and thus the hapticfeedback components are incapable of altering an amount of feedbackaccording to the contact. Therefore, conventional electronic devices areunable to contribute to the overall user experience.

Accordingly, there is a need for electronic devices to include moresophisticated feedback mechanisms and components for providing userfeedback that is responsive to the user's physical interaction with suchelectronic devices. The techniques and components described herein canenable electronic devices to detect an amount of user contact that isapplied to a part of the electronic device (e.g., housing, distal tip,proximal tip, etc.) and generate an amount of tactile feedback based onthe amount of contact. Such techniques and components may be beneficialto graphical artists drawing with an electronic stylus, where thedigital representations of their graphical designs is heavily dependentupon the amount of tactile feedback that they receive during thedrawing. One of the components described herein is a “deformationfeedback component” which can be interchangeably used with the term“feedback component”, and refers to adjusting an amount of feedback by afeedback component according to the amount of a contact stimulus that isapplied against the part of the electronic device.

As used herein, the terms “initial configuration,” “initial shape,” or“non-modified shape” can be used interchangeably to refer to adeformation feedback component in a non-actuated state. In one example,in the absence of any electrical, magnetic, or electromechanicalstimulation, the deformation feedback component remains in an initialconfiguration. Alternatively, the terms “modified configuration,”“modified shape,” or “adjusted shape” can be used interchangeably torefer to a deformation feedback component while being currently actuatedor just subsequent to having been previously actuated. The initialconfiguration is generally distinct from the modified configuration,with respect to at least one of dimensions, shape, size, volume, or areaof the feedback component.

As used herein, the term “deformation feedback” generally refers to userfeedback that is generated based on detecting a contact stimulus orcontact event that is applied to a part of the electronic device. Asdescribed herein, deformation feedback can refer to the transformationof a body of material (i.e., substrate) from an initial configuration toa modified configuration in order to provide feedback that can beperceived by a user. Deformation can correspond to a relativedisplacement of particles in the substrate. Deformation of the substratecan be measured using a number of different factors, including strain,stiffness, flexibility, and the like. In some embodiments, the physicaldeformation of the electronic device refers to strain being exertedagainst a housing, tip, or other part of the electronic device. In someembodiments, the physical deformation refers to exerting pressureagainst the housing, tip, or other part of the electronic device. Insome embodiments, the contact stimulus causes a physical deformation ofthe part of the electronic device, such as the squeezing a barrel of thehousing. The deformation feedback that is generated by a deformationfeedback component can refer to a physical change (e.g., increase ordecrease) in the feedback component's shape, dimensions, size, mass,volume, or footprint. The deformation feedback can simulate a sensationof touch at a user's nerves present in the user's appendages (e.g.,fingers, hand, palm, toes, etc.) as well as other body parts (e.g.,lips, nose, etc.). As described herein, the deformation feedback canapply a sensation of touch by applying force, vibratory force, motions,pressure, strain, or other types of physical feedback that can bephysically perceived by the user.

As used herein, the term “haptic feedback” can refer to simulating asensation of touch by applying force, vibrations, or motions that can beperceived by the user's appendages. Unlike deformation feedback, hapticfeedback is not based on the contact stimulus or contact event that isapplied to a part of the electronic device. Thus, the amount of hapticfeedback generated disregards an amount of physical input applied by theuser.

As used herein, the term “substrate” can refer to a piezoelectricelement, magnetic element, electroactive substrate, magnetic actuationelement, and the like that make up the active part of the deformationfeedback component. In some embodiments, the substrate is physicallydeformed via at least one of electrical, electromechanical, pressurized,or magnetic actuation. In some embodiments, the deformation or actuationof the substrate can cause an amount of force to be exerted ortranslated to a housing of the electronic device.

As used herein, the term “strain” refers to a relative displacement ofparticles in a substrate from an initial configuration to a modifiedconfiguration. As used herein, the term “stiffness” refers to therigidity of the substrate, and the extent to which the substrate resistsdeformation in response to an applied force. In some examples, thesubstrate can be made of a material that can be configured to generate avaried amount of rigidity or flexibility that can similarly be perceivedby the user. For example, the change in rigidity or flexibility of thesubstrate can correspond to a similar change in stiffness ordeformability of a housing of the touch sensitive device. As describedherein, the term strain can refer to the amount of deformation of theelectroactive substrate in the direction of the applied force divided bythe initial length of the electroactive substrate.

According to some embodiments, an accessory device for use with a touchsensitive portion of an electronic device is described. The accessorydevice can include a housing having walls that carry operationalcomponents, where the operational components can include a processorcoupled to a feedback component arranged to provide feedback and adistal tip coupled to the feedback component, the distal tip extendingfrom an opening at a distal end of the housing, where the distal tip iscapable of engaging with and transmitting a load applied to the housingto an external surface of the touch sensitive portion. The processor canbe further coupled to a sensor in communication with the distal tip, thesensor being capable of (i) detecting a physical change when the distaltip engages with the external surface, and (ii) responding to thephysical change by providing a detection signal to the processor, that,in response, instructs the feedback component to provide the feedback tothe distal tip.

The various embodiments set forth herein are provided to generate anamount of feedback at a deformation feedback component of an electronicdevice in accordance with an amount of strain, pressure, or force thatis exerted against a housing of the electronic device. Exemplaryelectronic devices that can include the deformation feedback componentcan include, but are not limited to, portable electronic devices,styluses, smartphones, smartwatches, consumer devices, wearableelectronic devices, tablet computers, laptops, computing devices, andthe like, such as those manufactured by Apple Inc., based in Cupertino,Calif.

The foregoing provides various electronic devices capable of providingan amount of deformation feedback. A more detailed discussion of theseelectronic devices is set forth below and described with reference toFIGS. 1-25, which illustrate detailed diagrams of devices and componentsthat can be used to implement these techniques and features.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a system 100 for generatingdeformation feedback by a touch sensitive device 140. In some examples,the touch sensitive device 140 can refer to a stylus, such as the ApplePencil® manufactured by Apple Inc. The touch sensitive device 140includes a deformation feedback component 150 that can be configured toundergo a transformation from an initial configuration to a modifiedconfiguration. In some embodiments, the deformation feedback component150 can be configured to provide deformation feedback in conjunctionwith contact between the touch sensitive device 140 and the electronicdevice 170.

Although FIG. 1 shows that the deformation feedback component 150 ispositioned near a tip 112 located at a distal end of the touch sensitivedevice 140, the deformation feedback component 150 can be positionedalong any portion of the touch sensitive device 140. In some examples,the deformation feedback component 150 can be positioned at the proximalend, the tip 112, and along a longitudinal length of the housing 110 ofthe touch sensitive device 140, as described herein. In this manner,positioning the deformation feedback component 150 at different areasalong the housing 110 can generate perceptions of differenttypes/amounts of deformation feedback that can be perceived by theuser's appendage(s).

In some embodiments, the touch sensitive device 140 can incorporatemultiple deformation feedback components 150 that are each positioned atdifferent portions of the housing 110. In some embodiments, one or moremultiple deformation feedback components 150 can be positioned radiallyalong the housing 110 to span the entire circumference of a cylindricalhousing or to span the entire perimeter of the housing 110. In someembodiments, the deformation feedback component 150 can positioned at anexternal surface of the housing 110, embedded within the externalsurface of the housing 110, along an internal surface of the housing110, disposed within an interior cavity of the housing 110, or acombination thereof.

In some embodiments, where the deformation feedback component 150 is anelectroactive substrate, the electroactive substrate can be included aspart of a transducer assembly. In some embodiments, the electroactivesubstrate can be configured to detect an amount of mechanical strainand/or force that is applied to the electroactive substrate via e.g.,the user's appendage. For example, the electroactive substrate candetect an amount of mechanical strain and/or force that is directly orindirectly applied to the electroactive substrate. For example, indirectapplication of mechanical strain and/or force can refer to a portion ofthe housing 110 or other component of the touch sensitive device 140that presses against the electroactive substrate.

In some embodiments, the touch sensitive device 140 can include a sensor(not illustrated) that can be configured to detect an amount ofcapacitance, resistance, or combination thereof that is in conjunctionwith the amount of mechanical strain that is exerted against theelectroactive substrate. For example, an amount of deflection of aportion of the electroactive substrate can be detected by one or moreelectrodes (not illustrated) positioned adjacent to the electroactivesubstrate that are configured to transmit an electrical signal to thesensor in accordance with the amount of the mechanical strain that isdetected.

In some embodiments, the electroactive substrate can be configured togenerate deformation feedback in accordance with the amount ofmechanical strain or deflection that is applied to the electroactivesubstrate. In this manner, the electroactive substrate can be configuredto perform both force sensing and deformation feedback functions.

In some embodiments, the electroactive substrate can be configured togenerate haptic feedback in addition to/or in substitution of thedeformation feedback.

In some embodiments, the touch sensitive device 140 includes a tipelectrode (not illustrated) that is configured to detect an amount ofload that is applied by the touch sensitive device 140 against the touchscreen panel 172 of the electronic device 170. In response, thedeformation feedback component 150 can be configured to generatedeformation feedback in accordance with the amount of load that isdetected. In some embodiments, the touch sensitive device 140 can beconfigured to detect an amount of force that is exerted by the touchscreen panel 172 against the tip 112. In response, the deformationfeedback component 150 can be configured to generate deformationfeedback in accordance with the amount of force that is exerted on thetip 112. In some embodiments, the touch sensitive device 140 can includea position sensor (e.g., accelerometer, gyroscope, and the like) thatcan be used in addition to the tip electrode or to substitute for thetip electrode for detecting at least one of a change in position,velocity, acceleration, or direction of the touch sensitive device 140.

In some embodiments, the touch sensitive device 140 can be configured toelectronically communicate or interact with the electronic device 170,where the electronic device 170 can determine the deformation feedbackto be generated by the electroactive substrate. In one example, theelectronic device 170 can be configured to execute a media application(e.g., via an operating system installed on the electronic device 170).In one example, the media application can be configured to receive aselection of a feedback preference that can be utilized in generatingthe deformation feedback.

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate block diagrams of various embodiments of a touchsensitive device 200 that can be used to implement the variouscomponents described herein. FIG. 2A illustrates a touch sensitivedevice 200 having a deformation feedback component 250, where thedeformation feedback component 250 can include an electroactivesubstrate that can be configured to perform both force/load sensing anddeformation feedback functions. As shown in FIG. 2A, the touch sensitivedevice 200 can include a controller 210 for controlling the overalloperation of the touch sensitive device 200. The controller 210 canrefer to one or more of a general processor unit (GPU), centralprocessing unit (CPU), or dedicated microcontroller. The controller 210can be configured to receive an electrical signal from a sensor 260,where the electrical signal corresponds to a change in capacitance,resistance, or combination thereof that is detected by the sensor 260 inconjunction with the force/load that is detected by the sensor 260. Thesensor 260 can be electrically coupled to one or more electrodes 270that are positioned adjacent to the deformation feedback component 250.The one or more electrodes 270 can be configured to generate anelectrical signal that corresponds to an amount of force or mechanicalstrain that is directly or indirectly applied against the deformationfeedback component 250, whereupon the electrical signal is transmittedto the sensor 260. In this manner, the deformation feedback component250 can be configured to detect an amount of mechanical strain ordeflection that is directly or indirectly exerted against theelectroactive substrate. The controller 210 can be configured togenerate one or more contact parameters based on the change incapacitance, resistance, or combination thereof. For example, thecontact parameter can refer to an amount of force, load, strain, and thelike that is applied against the electroactive substrate. In anotherexample, the contact parameter can refer to a directionality,orientation, or angular direction of the force that is applied againstthe electroactive substrate. In some examples, the controller 210 can beconfigured to sense orientation since mechanical strain of theelectroactive substrate can cause tension on one lateral side of theelectroactive substrate and compression on an opposing lateral side.

In some embodiments, the controller 210 can be configured to generateone or more deformation feedback parameter based on the one or morecontact parameters. The deformation feedback parameters can betransmitted to a power supply 230. The deformation feedback parameterscan refer to an electrical signal that indicates an amount of voltage,amplitude, pulse width, duty cycle, and the like. In conjunction withreceiving the deformation feedback parameters, the power supply 230 cangenerate an input voltage to the electrodes 270 so that the electrodes270 are configured to actuate the deformation feedback component 250 totransform from an initial configuration (i.e., non-actuated) to amodified configuration (i.e., actuated) so as to generate deformationfeedback. In this configuration, the deformation feedback component 250can be configured to perform both force sensing and deformation feedbackfunctions where the deformation feedback component is comprised of anelectroactive substrate.

In some embodiments, the controller 210 of the touch sensitive device200 can be configured to receive one or more feedback preferences fromthe electronic device 170. In some examples, the feedback preference isselected via the media application of the electronic device 170. Thecontroller 210 can receive the feedback preference from the electronicdevice 170 via a wireless antenna 280, whereupon the controller 210 canbe configured to combine the one or more feedback preferences with theone or more contact parameters to generate a combined deformationfeedback parameter. In this manner, the touch sensitive device 200 canbe configured to cause the deformation feedback component 250 togenerate deformation feedback that is not entirely based on the contactparameter. The touch sensitive device 200 can also include a network/businterface 202 that couples the wireless antenna 280 to the controller210. The controller 210 can be electrically coupled to a power supply230 via a bus 211.

In some embodiments, the touch sensitive device 200 includes a memory220 that can be configured to store the one or more contact parametersand/or the one or more feedback preferences.

FIG. 2B illustrates a touch sensitive device 200 that includes a tipelectrode 290 that is configured to detect an amount of load that isapplied by the touch sensitive device 200 against the touch screen panel172 of the electronic device 170, as well as detect an amount of forcethat is exerted by the touch screen panel 172 against the tip 112. Insome embodiments, the tip electrode 290 can be configured to detect achange in capacitance, voltage difference, resistance, and the like. Thetip electrode 290 can transmit an electrical signal to a sensor 260 thatis indicative of the change in capacitance, voltage difference, orresistance. The sensor 260 can be configured to generate an electricalsignal that is transmitted to the controller 210. The controller 210 canbe configured to generate one or more contact parameters based on thechange in capacitance, resistance, or combination thereof. For example,the contact parameter can refer to an amount of force, load, strain, andthe like that is present at the tip 112 of the touch sensitive device140. In another example, the contact parameter can refer to adirectionality, orientation, or angular direction of the force that isapplied to the tip 112.

In some embodiments, the controller 210 can be configured to generateone or more deformation feedback parameter based on the one or morecontact parameters. The deformation feedback parameters can betransmitted to a power supply 230. The deformation feedback parameterscan refer to an electrical signal that indicates an amount of voltage,amplitude, pulse width, duty cycle, and the like. In conjunction withreceiving the deformation feedback parameters, the power supply 230 cangenerate an input voltage to the electrodes 270 so that the electrodes270 are configured to actuate the deformation feedback component 250 totransform from an initial configuration (i.e., non-actuated) to amodified configuration (i.e., actuated) so as to cause the deformationfeedback component 250 to generate deformation feedback. In one example,where the deformation feedback component 250 is an electroactivesubstrate, the electroactive substrate can be configured to expandand/or contract to induce strain on the housing 110 of the touchsensitive device 140 that can be perceived by the user's appendage. Inthis manner, the electroactive substrate is reactive to producedeformation feedback as sensed by the sensor 260.

In some examples, the deformation feedback component 250 can becomprised of an electroactive substrate, a rheological fluid, shapememory alloy, magnetic assembly, or piezoelectric element. In someexamples, the electroactive substrate can be comprised of silicone,acrylates, and/or polyurethane materials.

In some embodiments, the electrodes 270 can be configured to generate anelectrostatic force relative to the electroactive substrate to cause theelectroactive substrate to expand or contract.

In some embodiments, the electroactive substrate can be configured togenerate haptic feedback in addition to/or in substitution of thedeformation feedback. For example, the power supply 230 can beconfigured to cause a pulsating or repeating voltage to be transmittedto the electroactive substrate so as to cause changes in stiffness orcompression in the electroactive substrate. In some embodiments, thepower supply 230 can apply a single electrical pulse to theelectroactive substrate to simulate a click. In some embodiments, thepower supply 230 can apply continuous and repeating electrical pulses(e.g., AC, DC) to cause the electroactive substrate to simulatetextures. The repeating waveform can induce a change in stiffness to thehousing 110 via the deformation feedback component 250. In this manner,the electroactive substrate can be induced to generate haptic feedbackby adjusting the type of voltage that is provided by the power supply230. For example, the feedback can be translated to the user via thehousing 110 of the touch sensitive device 200. Thus, by adjusting thetype of input voltage that is provided, different types of textures canbe perceived by the user.

In some examples, the controller 210 is able to generate feedback by thedeformation feedback component 250, in response to the sensor 260detecting that contact has been made, in less than about 500milliseconds. In some examples, feedback time from detecting contact bythe sensor 260 to generating feedback by the deformation feedbackcomponent 250 is between about 1 millisecond to about 100 milliseconds.In some examples, the feedback time can refer to a range of millisecondsor microseconds.

In some embodiments, a touch sensitive device 200 can incorporate anycombination of the features of the touch sensitive device 200 describedwith reference to FIGS. 2A-2B.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate cross-sectional views of various embodiments of atouch sensitive device 300, in accordance with some embodiments. FIGS.3A-3C illustrate that positioning a plurality of electrodes 340 a-brelative to an electroactive substrate 350 can induce moment of theelectroactive substrate 350 in a plurality of different directions alonga load path.

FIG. 3A illustrates a touch sensitive device 300 that includes a housing310 a-b that includes an electroactive substrate 350 and a plurality ofelectrodes 340 a-b positioned adjacent to the electroactive substrate350. The upper and lower surface of the electroactive substrate 350 arebordered by an upper and lower portion of a housing 310 a-b.

A first electrode 340 a can be configured to deliver a positive chargeto a first surface of the electroactive substrate 350, while a secondelectrode 340 b can be configured to deliver a negative charge to asecond surface of the electroactive substrate 350. In some embodiments,the electrodes 340 a-b can be configured to generate an electrostaticforce relative to the electroactive substrate 350. As a result,actuation of the electroactive substrate 350 can cause the upper andlower surfaces of the electroactive substrate 350 to expand in an axialdirection towards the upper and lower portions of the housing 310 a-b.Expansion of the electroactive substrate 350 causes the electroactivesubstrate 350 to be transformed from an initial configuration to amodified configuration. Since the upper and lower portions of thehousing 310 a-b provide a fixed boundary, the expansion of theelectroactive substrate 350 towards the upper and lower portions of thehousing 310 a-b pushes against the housing 310 a-b to induce an amountof strain or stiffness against the upper and lower portions of thehousing 310 a-b that can be perceived by the user.

In another example, the electroactive substrate 350 can be induced tocontract if the polarity of the voltage generated by the electrodes 340a-b is reversed.

FIG. 3B illustrates a touch sensitive device 300 that includes a housing310 a-b that includes an electroactive substrate 350 and a plurality ofelectrodes 340 a-b positioned adjacent to the electroactive substrate350. The electroactive substrate 350 is bordered by a pair of electrodes340 a-b that are positioned along the upper and lower surfaces of theelectroactive substrate 350. In addition, the upper and lower surface ofthe electroactive substrate 350 are bordered by an upper and lowerportion of a housing 310 a-b.

A first electrode 340 a can be configured to deliver a positive chargeto an upper surface of the electroactive substrate 350, while a secondelectrode 340 b can be configured to deliver a negative charge to alower surface of the electroactive substrate 350. As a result, the upperand lower surfaces of the electroactive substrate 350 can be configuredto contract in an axial direction away from the upper and lower portionsof the housing 310 a-b. Contraction of the electroactive substrate 350causes the electroactive substrate 350 to be transformed from an initialconfiguration to a modified configuration. In this manner, thecontraction of the electroactive substrate 350 induces less strainagainst the housing 310 a-b associated with the modified configurationthan in the initial configuration.

FIG. 3C illustrates a touch sensitive device 300 that includes a housing310 a-b that includes an electroactive substrate 350 and a series offour electrodes 340 a-d positioned adjacent to the electroactivesubstrate 350. The electroactive substrate 350 is bordered by the fourelectrodes 340 a-d that are each positioned adjacent to a surface of theelectroactive substrate 350. In addition, the upper and lower surface ofthe electroactive substrate 350 are bordered by an upper and lowerportion of a housing 310 a-b.

A first electrode 340 a can be configured to deliver a positive chargeto a lateral surface of the electroactive substrate 350, a secondelectrode 340 b can be configured to deliver a positive charge to anupper surface of the electroactive substrate 350, a third electrode 340c can be configured to deliver a negative charge to a lateral surface ofthe electroactive substrate 350, and a fourth electrode 340 d can beconfigured to deliver a negative charge to a lower surface of theelectroactive substrate 350. In this manner, the touch sensitive device300 can be configured to cause the electroactive substrate 350 to eitherexpand or contract in an axial direction depending upon which of thespecific electrodes 340 a-d are actuated. In this manner, FIG. 3C showsthat the depending the specific electrode that is actuated can causecompliance in a plurality of different directions.

Although FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate that the electroactive substrate 350 issubstantially rectangular shaped, the electroactive substrate 350 can beformed in a variety of other shapes such as circular, elliptical,polygonal, asymmetric, and the like.

In addition, the electroactive substrate 350 can be configured toprovide deformation feedback and load/force sensing in conjunction withan amount of mechanical strain that is applied against the electroactivesubstrate 350. For example, the plurality of electrodes 340 a-b can beconfigured to generate an electrical signal that corresponds to theamount of mechanical strain that is applied against the electroactivesubstrate 350. The electrodes 340 a-b can be configured to senseorientation (e.g., tension on side of the electroactive substrate 350and compression on an opposing side of the electroactive substrate 350).

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate that the electroactive substrate 350 is inducedto contract or expand depending upon the amount of mechanical strain,force, or load that is applied to the electroactive substrate 350 and/orthe tip 112. In some embodiments, each of the electrodes 340 a-b can beindividually actuated and controlled.

FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate cross-sectional views of various embodiments of atouch sensitive device 400 that is configured to generate deformationfeedback. FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate that positioning a plurality ofasymmetrically aligned electrodes 440 relative to an electroactivesubstrate 450 can induce moment of the electroactive substrate 450 in aplurality of different directions along a load path.

FIG. 4A shows a touch sensitive device 400 that includes anelectroactive substrate 450 having an upper surface and a lower surfacethat is bordered by an upper portion 410 a of a housing and a lowerportion 410 b of the housing, in accordance with some embodiments. Eachof the lateral surfaces of the electroactive substrate 450 are borderedby a plurality of electrodes 440, although the plurality of electrodes440 are included in an asymmetrical configuration. FIG. 4A shows that afirst lateral surface of the electroactive substrate 450 is adjacent tothree electrodes 440, while a second lateral surface of theelectroactive substrate 450 is adjacent to two electrodes 440. Theasymmetrical configuration of the electrodes 440 relative to theelectroactive substrate 450 can induce an asymmetrical electrical fieldto be applied by the electrodes 440 to the electroactive substrate 450.

As shown in FIG. 4B, actuation of the electroactive substrate 450 by theasymmetrically configured electrodes 440 of FIG. 4A can cause theelectroactive substrate 450 to expand in an uneven manner, such that alower surface of the electroactive substrate 450 is configured to extendsignificantly further than the upper surface of the electroactivesubstrate 450. In this manner, actuation of the electroactive substrate450 causes the lower surface of the electroactive substrate 450 toinduce a greater amount of strain or compression against the lowerportion 410 b of the housing when compared to the upper portion 410 a.

FIG. 4C shows a touch sensitive device 400 that includes anelectroactive substrate 450 having an upper surface and a lower surfacethat is bordered by an upper portion 410 a of a housing and a lowerportion 410 b of the housing, in accordance with some embodiments. Eachof the lateral surfaces of the electroactive substrate 450 are borderedby a plurality of electrodes 440, although the plurality of electrodes440 are included in an asymmetrical configuration. FIG. 4A shows that afirst lateral surface of the electroactive substrate 450 includes threeelectrodes 440 that each have varying lengths, while a second lateralsurface of the electroactive substrate 450 includes three electrodes 440that each have varying lengths. The asymmetrical configuration of theelectrodes 440 relative to the electroactive substrate 450 can induce anasymmetrical electrical field to be applied by the electrodes 440 to theelectroactive substrate 450.

As shown in FIG. 4D, actuation of the electroactive substrate 450 by theasymmetrically configured electrodes 440 can cause the electroactivesubstrate 450 to expand in an uneven manner, such that the electroactivesubstrate 450 bends or flexes between the upper and lower surface of theelectroactive substrate 450. In this manner, actuation of theelectroactive substrate 450 can cause the electroactive substrate 450 toinduce a lesser amount of strain against a first lateral surface 410 cof the housing when compared to a second lateral surface 410 d of thehousing.

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate various views of a piezoelectric element 550 thatis configured to generate deformation feedback, in accordance with someembodiments. In some embodiments, the piezoelectric element 550 can besubstituted for an electroactive substrate. Although it should be notedthat unlike the piezoelectric element 550, the electroactive substratecan be configured to provide both sensing and deformation feedbackfunctions.

FIG. 5A shows that the piezoelectric element 550 includes a plurality ofelectrodes 540 a-c that are positioned along an external surface 510 ofthe piezoelectric element 550. Each of the plurality of electrodes 540a-c can be individually actuated so as to cause the piezoelectricelement 550 to displace in a plurality of different directions thatcorrespond to the specific electrode 540 a, 540 b, 540 c that isactuated.

FIG. 5B shows that in conjunction with the electrode 540 c beingactuated, the piezoelectric element 550 bends in a direction thatcorresponds to the position of the electrode 540 c. In some examples,the piezoelectric element 550 can be configured to bend in a specificdirection depending upon at least one of the amplitude of the inputvoltage, polarity, pulse width, or pulse frequency generated by theelectrodes 540 a-c. In this manner, the piezoelectric element 550 canalso be configured to bend in a direction opposite the position of theelectrode 540 c.

FIG. 5C shows that the piezoelectric element 550 can be configured todisplace in a plurality of different directions depending upon which ofthe one or more electrodes 540 a-d are actuated. For example, solelyactuating the electrode 540 d can cause the piezoelectric element 550 tobend in the direction towards the electrode 540 d.

In some examples, the piezoelectric element 550 may demonstrate about0.1% strain. In contrast, the strain generated by the electroactivesubstrate 350 is e.g., from about 10% to 20%.

In some examples, the electroactive substrate 350 can generate a quickerfeedback response than the piezoelectric element since the electroactivesubstrate 350 is able to provide both sensing and feedbackfunctionalities.

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate a perspective view and a cross-sectional view ofa piezoelectric element 650 that includes a plurality of concentrictubes 654 a-c, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 6B shows across-sectional view of the piezoelectric element 650, where each of theconcentric tubes 654 a-c is defined by a length (L). The piezoelectricelement 650 can be configured to displace by a distance (D) based on thetotal of the length (L) of each of the concentric rings tube-c. In thismanner, the length of each of the concentric tubes 654 a-c can amplifythe displacement of the piezoelectric element 650.

FIG. 6C shows magnetic assembly 600 that can be configured to causedeformation feedback, in accordance with some embodiments. The magneticassembly 600 can be implemented within the housing 110 of the touchsensitive device 140. In some embodiments, the actuation mode can referto where the magnetic assembly 600 receives an electrical current fromthe power supply 230. In turn, the one or more magnetic coil elements628 can be configured to generate a magnetic field. Depending upon atleast one of a deformation feedback parameter generated by thecontroller 210, at least one of the polarity, amplitude, pulse orfrequency of the current that is generated by the power supply 230 canbe adjusted so that the one or more magnetic coil elements 628 can beconfigured to generate a varying magnetic field strength. Furthermore,each of the permanent magnetic elements 630 can generate its ownmagnetic field as well as interact with the magnetic field that isgenerated by other magnetic coil elements 628. For example, if thepermanent magnetic element 630 and the magnetic coil elements 628 sharea similar polarity, the permanent magnetic element 630 can be configuredto oppose the magnetic coil element 628 so as to cause the permanentmagnetic element 630 to repel from the magnetic coil element 628. Inthis manner, the permanent magnet element 630 can be repelled orattracted to the magnetic coil element 628 so as to cause an amount ofcompression or stiffness to be induced in the housing 110.

FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate cross-sectional views of various embodiments of atouch sensitive device 700 that can be configured to generatedeformation feedback in conjunction with contact between the touchsensitive device 700 and a surface, such as the touch screen panel 172of the electronic device 170.

FIG. 7A illustrates a touch sensitive device 700 that includes a singleelectroactive substrate 750 that can be configured to generatedeformation feedback. FIG. 7A shows that the touch sensitive device 700includes a housing 710 having an interior cavity 708. The interiorcavity 708 includes the electroactive substrate 750 that is positionedbetween a pair of electrodes 740. Each electrode of the pair ofelectrodes 740 is positioned adjacent to a lateral surface of theelectroactive substrate 750. In this manner, when at least one of theelectrodes 740 delivers an input voltage to the electroactive substrate750, the electroactive substrate 750 can be induced to expand orcontract in a substantially axial direction to induce mechanical strainagainst the housing 710.

A distal tip 712 is coupled to a shaft 714 that extends along a lengthof the housing 710. In addition, the electroactive substrate 750 iscoupled to the shaft 714 and the distal tip 712.

In some embodiments, the electroactive substrate 750 can be configuredto perform both sensing and deformation feedback functions. For example,the electroactive substrate 750 can be configured to detect an amount offorce or mechanical strain that is applied against the electroactivesubstrate 750 from at least one of the user's appendage or from thetouch screen panel 172. For example, in conjunction with contact betweenthe distal tip 712 and the touch screen panel 172, the user's appendagecan compress against the housing 710. As a result, the housing 710 cancompress against the electroactive substrate 750 to cause mechanicalstrain that can be detected by the electroactive substrate 750.Subsequently, the electroactive substrate can also generate deformationfeedback that corresponds to the amount of mechanical strain that isdetected.

In some embodiments, the electroactive substrate 750 can be configuredto solely generate deformation feedback in response to an amount ofmechanical strain that is detected by a sensor 260. The touch sensitivedevice 700 can include a tip electrode 290 that is configured to detecta change in capacitance, resistance, or combination thereof inaccordance with an amount of load that is exerted by the touch sensitivedevice 700 to a surface of another object (e.g., touch screen panel172).

FIG. 7B illustrates another embodiment of a touch sensitive device 700that includes a first electroactive substrate 740 a and a secondelectroactive substrate 740 b. Each of the electroactive substrates 740a, 740 b can have a dedicated function. For example, the firstelectroactive substrate 740 a can be configured to perform a sensingfunction by determining an amount of force or mechanical strain that isapplied to the first electroactive substrate 740 a, while the secondelectroactive substrate 740 b can be configured to generate deformationfeedback in accordance with the amount of force or mechanical strainthat is detected by the first electroactive substrate 740 a.Alternatively, the first electroactive substrate 740 a can be configuredto detect an amount of force or load that is applied against an area ofthe housing 710 that is adjacent to the first electroactive substrate740 a, while the second electroactive substrate 740 b can be configuredto detect an amount of force or load that is applied against an area ofthe housing 710 that is adjacent to the second electroactive substrate740 b.

FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate cross-sectional views of a touch sensitive device800 that generates deformation feedback in conjunction with contactbetween the touch sensitive device 800 and the touch screen panel 172 ofthe electronic device, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 8A shows that the touch sensitive device 800 includes a distal tip812, where the distal tip 812 can be comprised of an electroactivesubstrate 850. Since the distal tip 812 can be comprised of anelectroactive substrate 850, the electroactive substrate 850 can beconfigured to provide both sensing and deformation feedback functions.FIG. 8A shows that the touch sensitive device 800 includes a housing 810having an interior cavity 808. A shaft 814 can extend through theinterior cavity 808 and be coupled to the distal tip 812. Theelectroactive substrate 850 is positioned adjacent to an electrode 840,where the electrode 840 is positioned above the electroactive substrate850. An amount of force (F) is directed towards the distal tip 812 fromthe touch screen panel 172, and an amount of load (L) is provided in adirection of a load path from the touch sensitive device 800 towards thetouch screen panel 172. In some examples the amount of load (L) can beassociated with an angle of touch down, as described in further detailwith reference to FIGS. 22A-22C. FIG. 8A illustrates the electroactivesubstrate 850 in an initial configuration.

As shown in FIG. 8B, the controller 210 can be configured to generateone or more contact feedback parameters to cause the power supply 230 togenerate an input voltage to the electroactive substrate 850. As aresult, the electroactive substrate 850 can be configured to transformfrom an initial configuration to a modified configuration. As shown inFIG. 8B, in conjunction with the modified configuration, the electrode840 causes the electroactive substrate 850 to bend in a direction thatcorresponds to the direction of the force (F) applied by the touchscreen panel 172 and the direction of the load (L) characterized by theload path.

FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate cross-sectional views of a touch sensitive device900 that is configured to generate deformation feedback, in accordancewith some embodiments. FIG. 9A illustrates that the touch sensitivedevice 900 includes a plurality of electroactive substrates 950 a-b thatare included at opposing lateral surfaces of the housing 910. Eachelectroactive substrate 950 a, 950 b can be positioned to face a shaft914. The shaft 914 is coupled to a distal tip 912 that is configured tocontact with a touch screen panel 172 of the electronic device 170. Inaddition, FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate electrodes 940 a-b that are positionedalong the lateral surfaces of the housing 910 and are adjacent to theelectroactive substrates 950 a-b. For example, the electrode 940 a ispositioned adjacent to the electroactive substrate 950 a, while theelectrode 940 b is positioned adjacent to the electroactive substrate950 b. In this manner, the electrode 940 a can cause the electroactivesubstrate 950 a to be modified, while the electrode 940 b can cause theelectroactive substrate 950 b to be modified.

An amount of force (F) is directed towards the distal tip 912 from thetouch screen panel 172, and an amount of load (L) is provided in adirection of a load path from the touch sensitive device 900 towards thetouch screen panel 172. In some examples the amount of load (L) can beassociated with an angle of touch down, as described in further detailwith reference to FIGS. 22A-22C.

In conjunction with the amount of force or load that is detected by asensor 260, the controller 210 can be configured to transmit at leastone deformation feedback parameter to a power supply 230 to cause thepower supply 230 to provide an input voltage to the electrodes 940 a-b.Each electrode of the plurality of electrodes 940 a-b can beindividually actuated. In some examples, actuation of the electrode 940a can cause the electroactive substrate 950 a to contract, whileconcurrent actuation of the electrode 940 b can cause the electroactivesubstrate 950 b to expand. The expansion of the electroactive substrate950 b can cause the electroactive substrate 950 b to push against thelateral edges of the shaft 914 such that the shaft 914 bends in asubstantially curvilinear fashion away from the electroactive substrate950 b and to bend towards the electroactive substrate 950 a. Bending theshaft 914 in a substantially curvilinear fashion can cause the distaltip 912 to bend relative to the housing 910. In this configuration, theuser can physically perceive a change in the amount of strain orstiffness in the housing 910. As shown in FIG. 9B, the electrodes 940a-b can cause the electroactive substrate 950 a-b to bend in a directionthat corresponds to the direction of the force (F) applied by the touchscreen panel 172 and the direction of the load (L) characterized by theload path.

In some embodiments, the electroactive substrates 950 a-b can besubstituted with piezoelectric elements.

FIGS. 10A-B illustrate cross-sectional views of a touch sensitive device1000 that is configured to generate deformation feedback, in accordancewith some embodiments. FIG. 10A illustrates the flexible shaft member1060 in an initial configuration. FIG. 10A illustrates a touch sensitivedevice 1000 having a flexible shaft member 1060 that is coupled to ashaft 1014 and a distal tip 1012. The touch sensitive device 1000 caninclude a housing 1010 that encloses the shaft 1014 and at least aportion (or substantially all of) the flexible shaft member 1060.

An amount of force (F) is directed towards the distal tip 1012 from thetouch screen panel 172. Additionally, an amount of load (L) is providedin a direction of a load path from the touch sensitive device 1000towards the touch screen panel 172. In some examples the amount of load(L) can be associated with an angle of touch down, as described infurther detail with reference to FIGS. 22A-22C.

As shown in FIG. 10B, in conjunction with the distal tip 1012 contactingthe touch screen panel 172 of the electronic device 170, the flexibleshaft member 1060 can be configured to flex in a direction thatcorresponds to the direction of the amount of load (L) and the amount offorce (F).

As shown in FIG. 10B, the flexible shaft member 1060 defines an amountof space (D_(r)) between the housing 1010 and the distal tip 1012. Theamount of space (D_(r)) can define a range by which the flexible shaftmember 1060 is configured to move relative to the housing 1010 and thedistal tip 1012. In some examples, an increase in the amount of space(D_(r)) between the housing 1010 and the distal tip 1012 can facilitatethe flexible shaft member 1060 to flex in a broader angle range, while adecrease in the amount of space (D_(r)) between the housing 1010 and thedistal tip 1012 can reduce the angle range by which the flexible shaftmember 1060 is configured to flex.

In some examples, the flexible shaft member 1060 can be comprised of ashape memory metal or metal alloy, such as copper-aluminum-nickel,iron-manganese-silicon, copper-zinc-aluminum, copper-aluminum-nickel,and nickel-titanium (NiTi) alloys. In some examples, the flexible shaftmember 1060 can be comprised of zinc, copper, gold, or iron. In someembodiments, the flexible shaft member 1060 can exhibit super elasticitycharacteristics. In response to an amount of mechanical strain that isagainst the distal tip 1012 or the housing 1010, the flexible shaftmember 1060 can bend from an initial configuration to a modifiedconfiguration. Once the load that is exerted against the distal tip 1012is removed, the flexible shaft member 1060 can return to its initialconfiguration. In some examples, the flexible shaft member 1060 can becomprised of rubber or synthetic polymer, such as an elastomer having alow Young's modulus value. Since the flexible shaft member 1060 can bemade of a flexible material that can be configured to passively (i.e.,non-electrically) generate deformation feedback in accordance with theamount of load that is applied against the touch sensitive device 1000,the touch sensitive device 1000 does not require an electroactivesubstrate, piezoelectric element, or other material that requires anamount of input voltage to actively generate deformation feedback.

FIGS. 11A-11B illustrate cross-sectional views of a touch sensitivedevice 1100 that can be configured to generate deformation feedback, inaccordance with some embodiments. FIG. 11A illustrates a touch sensitivedevice 1100 that includes a housing 1110 having an interior cavity 1108.Carried within the interior cavity 1108 is a shaft 1114 having a firstend that is coupled to a distal tip 1112, while a second end of theshaft 1114 is coupled to a spring element 1170. FIG. 11A shows that thedistal tip 1112 can come into contact with a touch screen panel 172 ofthe electronic device 170. In conjunction with the contact, an amount offorce (F) can be exerted against the distal tip 1112, and an amount ofload (L) is provided in a direction of a load path from the touchsensitive device 1100 towards the touch screen panel 172. In someexamples the amount of load (L) can be associated with an angle of touchdown, as described in further detail with reference to FIGS. 22A-22C.

In some embodiments, the distal tip 1112 can be separated from thehousing 1110 by an initial compression distance (D_(i)). The initialcompression distance (D_(i)) can refer to an amount by which the distaltip 1112 is configured to compress relative to the housing 1110 inconjunction with the force (F) and load (L) that is exerted against thedistal tip 1112. Additionally, FIG. 11A illustrates the touch sensitivedevice 1100 in an initial configuration.

FIG. 11B illustrates the touch sensitive device 1100 in a modifiedconfiguration. As shown in FIG. 11B, the contact between the touchsensitive device 1100 and the touch screen panel 172 can cause thedistal tip 1112 to protrude into the interior cavity 1108 so as to causethe spring element 1170 to compress according to the initial compressiondistance (D_(i)). The amount by which the spring element 1170 compressescan depend upon a number of factors including a length of the shaft1114, the stiffness of the spring element 1170, the total possibledeformation of the spring element 1170, and the spring factor constantof the spring element 1170. Accordingly, the amount by which springelement 1170 is compressed (D_(c)) can determine the amount ofdeformation feedback that is perceived by the user.

FIGS. 12A-12D illustrate cross-sectional views of various embodiments ofa touch sensitive device 1200 that is configured to generate deformationfeedback. FIG. 12A illustrates a touch sensitive device 1200 having anelectroactive substrate 1250 that is included along a portion of alength of the housing 1210 of the touch sensitive device 1200. Theelectroactive substrate 1250 can be positioned in a grip region 1290 ofthe housing 1210 where a user's appendage might commonly grip orcomfortably grip the touch sensitive device 1200. Although in someexamples, the electroactive substrate 1250 can be positioned at otherregions of the housing 1210 that would facilitate in providing userfeedback. The electroactive substrate 1250 can be configured to providedeformation feedback to the user's appendage in conjunction with thetouch sensitive device 1200 being in contact with a touch screen panel172 of an electronic device 170.

In some embodiments, the electroactive substrate 1250 can be configuredto provide sensing capabilities. In some examples, as the user'sappendage grips against the electroactive substrate 1250, one or moresensors 260 positioned adjacent to the electroactive substrate 1250 candetermine a change in voltage difference (e.g., capacitance) as a resultof the mechanical strain applied against the electroactive substrate1250. In some configurations, the controller 210 can be configured todetermine a position of the user's appendage relative to the housing1210 of the touch sensitive device 1200. For example, the controller 210can be configured to determine that the user's appendage is currentlygripping the electroactive substrate 1250 at the grip region 1290.Subsequently, the controller 210 can cause an input voltage to beselectively applied to the electroactive substrate 1250 included in thegrip region 1290 via one or more electrodes 1240 that are positionedadjacent to the electroactive substrate 1250 to cause the electroactivesubstrate 1250 to deform or change in configuration to providedeformation feedback to the user, as shown in FIG. 12B.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 12C, a plurality of electrodes1240 can be positioned in a serial configuration along lateral sides ofthe electroactive substrate 1250. Each of the electrodes 1240 can beindividually actuated such that the actuated electrode 1240 only affectsa specific portion of the electroactive substrate 1250 that ispositioned directly adjacent to the actuated electrode 1240. In thismanner, the controller 210 can cause the electroactive substrate 1250 toprovide targeted deformation feedback to only the portion of theelectroactive substrate 1250 that is subject to mechanical strain fromthe user's appendage, while avoiding other portions of the electroactivesubstrate 1250 that are not being subjected to mechanical strain. Inthis configuration, the controller 210 can be configured to reduce orminimize power consumption by the power supply 230. Additionally, thecontroller 210 can be configured to prevent or minimize feedbackconfusion, such as by preventing portions of the electroactive substrate1250 that are not being mechanically exerted against from generatingdeformation feedback.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 12D, the touch sensitive device1200 can include a plurality of electroactive substrates 1250 that arearranged in a serial configuration along the length of the housing 1210.In this manner, each electroactive substrate 1250 can be configured toprovide targeted deformation feedback to only the portion of theelectroactive substrate 1250 that is subject to mechanical strain fromthe user's appendage.

In some embodiments, the plurality of electroactive substrates 1250 cansubstantially conform to the appearance of the housing 1210 of the touchsensitive device 1200. For example, the plurality of electroactivesubstrates 1250 and the housing 1210 can share at least one of a similarcolor, texture, or reflective finish such that the plurality ofelectroactive substrate 1250 conform to a general appearance of thehousing 1210. Additionally, techniques for providing a similarappearance can be applied to the embodiments of the touch sensitivedevice as described herein.

FIGS. 13A-13B illustrate cross-sectional views of a touch sensitivedevice 1300 having an electroactive substrate 1350 that is configured togenerate deformation feedback, in accordance with some embodiments.FIGS. 13A-13B illustrates that the electroactive substrate 1350 canextend along a portion of the longitudinal length of the housing 1310a-b. Although not shown in FIGS. 13A-13B, a plurality of electrodes arepositioned adjacent to each lateral surface of the electroactivesubstrate 1350.

As shown in FIG. 13A, the electroactive substrate 1350 can be configuredto cover at least one of a portion of an upper portion 1310 a or thelower portion 1310 b of the housing. In addition, the electroactivesubstrate 1350 can cover a guide tube 1360. In some examples, theelectroactive substrate 1350 can be molded with the upper and lowerportions of the housing 1310 a-b, and then subsequently fitted into theguide tube 1360.

The electroactive substrate 1350 can be configured to deform whensubjected to an input voltage provided by the plurality of electrodes sothat the upper portion 1310 a of the housing bends or flexes relative tothe lower portion 1310 b of the housing at a pivot axis (Pa). The pivotaxis (Pa) can dictate a bend angle and radius of the electroactivesubstrate 1350. Since the electroactive substrate 1350 is includedexternal to the housing 1310 a-b, the touch sensitive device 1300 cansacrifice a reduction in structural rigidity for an increased amount ofbend or flex between the upper portion 1310 a and the lower portion 1310b of the housing as compared to a touch sensitive device having anelectroactive substrate 1350 that is included within an internal cavityof the housing 1310 a-b.

In conjunction with transforming the electroactive substrate 1350 froman initial configuration to a modified configuration, the electroactivesubstrate 1350 can expand or contract in an axial direction that causesthe electroactive substrate 1350 to induce strain against the upperportion 1310 a and lower portion 1310 b of the housing.

FIG. 13A illustrates where the pivot axis (Pa) is positioned along aright side of the touch sensitive device 1300, while FIG. 13Billustrates where the pivot axis (Pa) is positioned along a left side ofthe touch sensitive device 1300. In this manner, FIGS. 13A-13Billustrate that the electroactive substrate 1350 can bend or flex in anasymmetrical manner in conjunction with an amount of force or load thatis exerted on the touch sensitive device 1300. For example, in referenceto FIG. 13B, if a user's appendage presses against the lateral side ofthe electroactive substrate 1350 that opposes the pivot axis (Pa), theelectroactive substrate 1350 can bend such that the ends of the upperand lower portions 1310 a-b of the housing bend in a directioncorresponding to the point of contact such that a greater amount ofdeformation feedback is felt at the right side of the touch sensitivedevice 1300 than the left side.

FIGS. 14A-14B illustrate cross-sectional views of a touch sensitivedevice 1400 having an electroactive substrate 1450 that is configured togenerate deformation feedback, in accordance with some embodiments.FIGS. 14A-14B illustrate that the electroactive substrate 1450 ispositioned along a portion of a longitudinal length of the upper andlower portions of the housing 1410 a-b of the touch sensitive device1400.

In contrast to the touch sensitive device 1300 shown in FIGS. 13A-13B,the electroactive substrate 1450 does not overlap the guide tube 1460.Instead the electroactive substrate 1450 is limited to covering theupper and lower portions of the housing 1410 a-b. The electroactivesubstrate 1450 is supported by the guide tube 1460 to facilitate inproviding rigidity to the touch sensitive device 1400, while sacrificinga degree of flexibility. In some embodiments, the guide tube 1460 ischaracterized as being an overlap guide tube structure. The guide tube1460 includes an overlap 1464 having a recess 1462 that is configured toreceive a portion of the electroactive substrate 1450. For example, therecess 1462 includes an upper surface 1462 a and a lower surface 1462 bthat define the compression travel (T) range by which the electroactivesubstrate 1450 is restricted to expand or contract. Accordingly, theelectroactive substrate 1450 is unable to expand or contract beyond theboundaries established by the upper surface 1462 a and the lower surface1462 b of the recess 1462. In some examples, expansion of theelectroactive substrate 1450 against the upper and lower surfaces 1462a-b can induce strain against the housing 1410 a-b that can be perceivedby the user.

FIG. 14A illustrates where the recess 1462 is positioned along a rightside of the guide tube 1460, while FIG. 14B illustrates where the recess1462 is positioned along a left side of the guide tube 1460.

In some examples, the guide tube 1460 can be comprised of a metal alloyor metal, such as steel.

FIGS. 15A-15B illustrate perspective views of a touch sensitive device1500 that can be configured to generate deformation feedback, inaccordance with some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 15A, the touchsensitive device 1500 includes an electroactive substrate 1550 thatextends along a portion of the longitudinal length of the housing 1510.The electroactive substrate 1550 can be configured to come into contactwith the user's appendage, where an amount of mechanical strain or force(F₂) is applied by the user's appendage against the electroactivesubstrate 1550.

FIG. 15A further shows that a distal tip 1512 of the touch sensitivedevice 1500 is configured to come into contact with a touch screen panel172 of an electronic device 170. An amount of load (L) is applied in adirection of a load path from the touch sensitive device 1500 towardsthe touch screen panel 172. In addition, an amount of force (F₁) isapplied by the touch screen panel 172 towards the touch sensitive device1500. In some examples the amount of load (L) can be associated with anangle of touch down, as described in further detail with reference toFIGS. 22A-22C. FIG. 15A shows that the electroactive substrate 1550 ofthe touch sensitive device 1500 can be configured to detect multipletypes of force (F₁, F₂) as well as load (L) and provide deformationfeedback accordingly as shown in FIG. 15B.

FIG. 15B shows that the electroactive substrate 1550 is configured toflex or bend relative to a pivot axis (Pa) having an angle (θ). Theelectroactive substrate 1550 can be configured to expand or contractagainst the housing 1510 so as to induce an amount of strain in thehousing 1510 that can be perceived by the user.

As shown in FIG. 15B, the electroactive substrate 1550 is configured tobend in a direction that corresponds to the direction of the force (F₁)applied by the touch screen panel 172, the direction of the force (F₂)applied by the user's appendage, and the direction of the load (L)characterized by the load path.

FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of a system 1600 for generatingdeformation feedback by a touch sensitive device 1640, in accordancewith some embodiments. FIG. 16 shows an electroactive substrate 1650that is positioned near a proximal end 1620 of the touch sensitivedevice 1640. In conjunction with contact between the touch sensitivedevice 1640 and a surface, such as a touch screen panel 1672 of theelectronic device 1670, the touch sensitive device 1640 can beconfigured to generate deformation feedback. In some examples, theelectroactive substrate 1650 can be configured to deform (e.g.,contract) to simulate the perception that the electroactive substrate1650 is an eraser or rubbing compound when the touch sensitive device1640 is used in coordination with a media application 1920 (see FIG. 19)that is executed by the electronic device 1670, as described in greaterdetail with reference to FIGS. 18-19. For example, using the mediaapplication 1920, when a media tool type of an “eraser” is selected, theelectronic device 1670 can be configured to transmit instructions to thetouch sensitive device 1640 to cause the touch sensitive device 1640 todeform the electroactive substrate 1650 to replicate the physicalperception of using an eraser to remove media content on the touchscreen panel 1672. For example, the instructions provided to the touchsensitive device 1640 can cause electrodes within the touch sensitivedevice 1640 to provide an input voltage to the electroactive substrate1650.

In some embodiments, simply abrading the electroactive substrate 1650against the touch screen panel 1672 can trigger the sensor 260 and thecontroller 210 of the touch sensitive device 1640 to determine that theuser intends to simulate an erasing function. For example, the mediaapplication 1920 can be configured to digitally erase drawn lines thatare displayed by the touch screen panel 1672 when the electroactivesubstrate 1650 is abraded in contact with the touch screen panel 1672.As a result, the electroactive substrate 1650 can be configured totransform from an initial configuration to a modified configuration.Moreover, the electroactive substrate 1650 can be configured to furtheror progressively contract in area or size as the erasing function isperformed over time to simulate the effect of removing a greater amountof the erasing compound. Additionally, the electroactive substrate 1650can vary in the amount of contraction to provide additional feedback,such as to distinguish between vigorous erasing and light erasing. Thevariation in the amount of contraction by the electroactive substrate1650 can be controlled by the controller 210, and can be furtherimplemented by adjusting the amount of input voltage that is provided bythe electrodes 270 to the electroactive substrate 1650.

FIGS. 17A-17C illustrate cross-sectional views of a touch sensitivedevice 1700 that includes an electroactive substrate 1750 that isconfigured to generate deformation feedback, in accordance with someembodiments.

As shown in FIGS. 17A-17C, the electroactive substrate 1750 ispositioned within a housing 1710 and distal from a proximal end 1720 ofthe touch sensitive device 1700. In conjunction with an amount of force(F) that is applied by the touch screen panel 1672 to the touchsensitive device 1700 and an amount of load (L) that is applied againstthe touch screen panel 1672 by the touch sensitive device 1700, theelectroactive substrate 1750 can be modified from an initial distance(D_(i)) to a modified distance (D_(m)), as shown in FIG. 17B. In someexamples the amount of load (L) can be associated with an angle of touchdown, as described in further detail with reference to FIGS. 22A-22C.

FIG. 17C shows a touch sensitive device 1700 having an electroactivesubstrate 1750 that is subjected to force (F) from the touch screenpanel 1672 and load (L) that is applied against the touch screen panel1672 in an angular direction. The electroactive substrate 1750 candefine a pivoting axis (Pa) that defines a range by which theelectroactive substrate 1750 is configured to bend. As shown in FIG.17C, the electroactive substrate 1750 can be configured to bend in adirection that corresponds to the angular direction of the force (F) andthe load that is applied (L).

FIGS. 18A-18B illustrate a cross-sectional view of a touch sensitivedevice 1800 that is configured to generate deformation feedback, inaccordance with some embodiments. FIG. 18A shows that the touchsensitive device 1800 includes an electroactive substrate 1850 at aproximal end 1820 of the touch sensitive device 1800. The electroactivesubstrate 1850 is shown in contact with a touch screen panel 1672 of theelectronic device 1670. An amount of load (L) is exerted against thetouch screen panel 1672 by the touch sensitive device 1800, while anamount of force (F) is applied by the touch screen panel 1672 againstthe electroactive substrate 1850.

In some embodiments, the electroactive substrate 1850 can be configuredto provide both sensing and deformation feedback capabilities.

As shown in FIG. 18A, the electroactive substrate 1850 can becharacterized as having an initial length (L_(i)) when the electroactivesubstrate 1850 is not actuated. FIG. 18B shows that the electroactivesubstrate 1850 contracts to a modified length (L_(m)). In conjunctionwith actuation of one or more electrodes (not illustrated), theelectroactive substrate 1850 can be configured to expand or contractsuch that an amount of strain can be induced against the housing 1810.

FIG. 19 illustrates a block diagram of different components of a system1900 that is configured to implement the various techniques describedherein, such as generating deformation feedback, according to someembodiments. More specifically, FIG. 19 illustrates a high-leveloverview of the system 1900, which includes an electronic device 1950that can represent, for example, a portable computer, a tablet, asmartphone, or other electronic device with a touch screen display.According to some embodiments, the electronic device 1950 can beconfigured to execute (e.g., via an operating system established on theelectronic device 1950) a media application 1920. In one example, themedia application 1920 can represent a graphic presentation program,such as Apple Keynote, produced by Apple Inc. In other examples, theapplication 1920 can represent a multimedia program, an illustratorprogram, a music player, a word editing program, a photography editingprogram, a web development program, and the like. As shown in FIG. 19,the application 1920 and a storage device 1940 of the electronic device1950 can be configured to directly communicate with one another. In someembodiments, the storage device 1940 can include a data item 1960managed by the application 1920. The application 1920 can request thedata item 1960 from the storage device 1940. In one example, the dataitem 1960 refers to a feedback preference that can be selected by theuser to be used in conjunction with the media application 1920, asdescribed in more detail with reference to FIG. 20. In another example,the data item 1960 can refer to a document or image that is to beexecuted by the application 1920.

As described in greater detail herein, the application 1920 can beconfigured to execute a graphics presentation program. In someembodiments, the application 1920 is configured to receive a graphicalinput during contact between the touch sensitive device 1910 and theelectronic device 1950. For example, the application 1920 can receive agraphical input in conjunction with the electronic device 1950 detectinga change in capacitance during the contact. According to someembodiments, the electronic device 1950 includes a touch screen panel172 that includes capacitive sensors, where each capacitive sensorincludes electrodes. The electrodes of the capacitive sensors areconfigured to detect the capacitive input provided by the touchsensitive device 1910 and process different contact parameters of thecapacitive input, including the speed of the input, the force of theinput, the position of the input, the acceleration of the input, theangle of the input relative to the touch screen panel, and the like. Theprocessor of the electronic device 1950 can process the differentcontact parameters detected by the capacitive sensors in order togenerate a deformation feedback parameter. In some embodiments, theapplication 1920 can be configured to receive a user selection of afeedback preference. Subsequently, the processor of the electronicdevice 1950 is configured to generate the deformation feedback parameterby combining an electrical signal associated with the different contactparameters with an electrical signal associated with the feedbackpreference, as described in greater detail with reference to FIGS.21A-21B.

As shown in FIG. 19, the electronic device 1950 is configured tocommunicate with the touch sensitive device 1910 via a network 1970,where the network 1970 can represent at least one of a global network(e.g., the Internet), a wide area network, a local area network, awireless personal area network (WPAN), and the like. In some examples,the network 1970 can represent a WPAN for transmitting data between theelectronic device 1950 and the touch sensitive device 1910. The WPANnetwork can represent Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15.1), ZigBee, Wireless USB,and the like. In some examples, the network can refer to Near-FieldCommunication (NFC). According to some embodiments, the electronicdevice 1950 can be configured to provide instructions to the touchsensitive device 1910 to cause the touch sensitive device 1910 togenerate deformation feedback.

FIG. 20 illustrates a system view of an exemplary list of feedbackpreferences associated with data items 1960 that can be executed by theapplication 1920. The feedback preferences can be selected by a user inconjunction with using the touch sensitive device 1910 generatingdeformation feedback. In some embodiments, the user can select one ofseveral feedback preferences via the application 1920. As shown in FIG.20, the exemplary list of feedback preferences includes: “Media ToolType” 2010, “Drawing Speed” 2020, “Drawing Angle” 2030, “Force Adjust”2040, “Adjust Media Tool Thickness” 2050, “Medium Material” 2060, and“Adjust Weight Between Contact Parameter and Feedback Preference” 2070.The processor is configured to generate an electrical signal associatedwith the feedback preference. In some embodiments, the electronic device1950 can transmit the feedback preference to the touch sensitive device1910. In some embodiments, the controller 210 of the touch sensitivedevice 1910 can combine an electrical signal associated with thefeedback preference with an electrical signal associated with a contactparameter (generated by the touch sensitive device 1910) into a combineddeformation feedback parameter, as described in more detail withreference to FIGS. 21A-21B.

In some embodiments, the application 1920 provides a graphical userinterface (GUI) that permits for the user to select one or more feedbackpreferences. Each feedback preference can be associated with a list ofone or more options, where each option is associated with a deformationfeedback that can be paired with the contact parameter to generate acombined deformation feedback parameter. Alternatively, the touchsensitive device 1910 can be configured to generate deformation feedbackwithout the feedback preferences.

In one example, the user can select “Drawing Speed” 2020, whereupon theapplication 1920 provides a list of options for causing the touchsensitive device 1910 to generate different deformation feedbackcorresponding to the drawing speed. For example, selection of the“Drawing Speed” can provide options for adjusting the amount ofdeformation feedback (e.g., strain, compression) that is generated bythe deformation feedback component 150 when the drawing speed isselected from among: 1) slow; 2) medium; 3) fast; or 4) variable. In oneexample, where the contact parameter detected by the touch sensitivedevice 1910 is constant (e.g., change in capacitance), a selection of afast drawing speed can cause a greater amount of compression to begenerated by the deformation feedback component 150 than a selection ofa slow drawing speed.

In one example, a user can select “Medium Material” 2060, whereupon theapplication 1920 provides a list of options for generating differenttypes of deformation feedback associated with different mediummaterials. For example, selection of the “Medium Material” can provideoptions, including: 1) cardboard; 2) chalkboard; 3) parchment paper; 4)porous paper; 5) printer paper; 6) wood; 7) metal; and 8) concrete. Inone example, where the contact parameter (e.g., capacitance) isconstant, a selection of a metal medium material can cause thedeformation feedback component 150 of the touch sensitive device 1910 togenerate less strain than a selection of a wood medium material. Sincewood can be associated with having a higher degree of coefficient offriction than metal, drawing on wood can cause more strain to be exertedagainst the touch sensitive device 1910.

In one example, the user can select “Media Tool Type” 2010, whereuponthe application 1920 provides a list of options for generating differentdeformation feedback that correspond to various media tools. Forexample, selection of the “Media Tool Type” can provide options,including: 1) charcoal; 2) felt tip; 3) marker; 4) pencil; 5) paint; 6)spray paint; and 7) eraser. In one example, where the contact parameter(e.g., capacitance) is constant, a selection of an eraser media tooltype can generate significantly more strain on the touch sensitivedevice 1910 compared to a selection of a marker media tool type. Sincean eraser can be associated with having a higher degree of coefficientof friction than a marker, the eraser can cause more strain to beexerted against the touch sensitive device 1910.

In another example, the user can select “Force Adjust” 2040, whereuponthe user is provided with a list of options, including: 1) soft; 2)medium; or 3) hard. Each force adjustment option is associated with adifferent type of deformation feedback. In some embodiments, the “ForceAdjust” 2040 option can be performed in conjunction with the sensor 260of the touch sensitive device 1910. For example, the sensor 260 can beconfigured to detect an amount of force that is applied against thetouch screen panel 172. The sensor 260 can generate a contact parameterthat indicates the amount of force applied can be transmitted by thetouch sensitive device 1910 to the electronic device 1950, whereupon aprocessor of the electronic device 1950 can combine the feedbackpreference selected by the user with the contact parameter in order togenerate a combined deformation feedback parameter. For example, if theforce detected by the sensor 260 is strong, but the “soft” forceadjustment is selected, then the electronic device 1950 can provide thetouch sensitive device 1910 with instructions that cause the touchsensitive device 1910 to generate deformation feedback that is of amedium amount of force.

In some embodiments, the controller 210 of the touch sensitive device1910 and the processor of the electronic device 1950 can be configuredto combine the electrical signals associated with the feedbackpreference (FP) with the electrical signals associated with the contactparameter (CP). In some embodiments, the controller 1930 and processor2430 can be configured to adjust the amount of weight for each set ofelectrical signals. In some embodiments, the application 1920 canprovide the “Adjust Weight” 2070 feedback preference that can beselected to allow a user to adjust the ratio of the feedback preference(FP) to the contact parameter (CP). For example, a user may want toplace more weight on the feedback preference by assigning the FP with ahigher weighted value than the contact parameter. The ratio between FPand CP can have a ratio ranging between 1:0 to 0:1. In one example, theapplication 1920 can select a ratio 9:1 to assign more weight to thefeedback preference than to the contact parameter. In another example,the application 1920 can adjust the ratio to 5:5 to assign an equalamount of weight to the feedback preference and the contact parameter.

In some embodiments, the processor of the electronic device 1950 cantransmit the adjusted ratio to the controller 210 of the touch sensitivedevice 1910, so that the controller 210 performs the adjustment of theamount of weight assigned to the FP and to the CP.

In some examples, each of the feedback preferences shown in FIG. 20 canbe stored in the storage device 1940 of the electronic device 1950. Insome examples, the application 1920 can rely upon machine-learningalgorithm to learn a user's preferences and adjust a default preferenceto align more similarly to the user's preference as learned over time sothat the settings of each of the feedback preferences is adjusted tomore closely conform to a user's preferences. In some examples, theapplication 1920 can be configured to store multiple user's preferencesfor later usage.

FIG. 21 illustrates an exemplary diagram of using a touch sensitivedevice 2100 in conjunction with the electronic device 170, in accordancewith some embodiments. FIG. 21 illustrates that when the distal tip 2112of the touch sensitive device 2100 makes contact with the touch screenpanel 172 of the electronic device 170, a sensor 260 of the touchsensitive device 2100 can be configured to detect a change incapacitance. A contact parameter can be generated by the controller 210based on the change in capacitance. For example, the contact parametercan refer to at least one of distance (D₁) traveled by the distal tip2112, acceleration (A₁) of the distal tip 2112, velocity (V₁) of thedistal tip 2112, force (F₁) applied by the distal tip 2112 against thetouch screen panel 172, and an angle (θ₁) between the distal tip 2112and the touch screen panel 172. In some embodiments, the sensor 260 is astrain sensor and can be configured to measure a strain measurement inconjunction with the distal tip 2112 making contact with the touchscreen panel 172.

FIG. 21 illustrates an exemplary diagram of the distal tip 2112 of thetouch sensitive device 2100 making contact with the touch screen panel172. In one example, in conjunction with the contact, the sensor 260 canbe configured to determine a capacitive change in electrical currentthat corresponds to an amount of distance (D₁) traveled by the distaltip 2112 between a starting time (t₀) and current time (t₁), inaccordance with one example. The sensor 260 can be configured to monitoran amount of distal traveled by the distal tip 2112 by tracking a changein a first position corresponding to t₀ and a second positioncorresponding to t₁.

In another example, the sensor 260 can be configured to determine anamount of force (F₁) that is exerted by the distal tip 2112 against thetouch screen panel 172. In some embodiments, the touch sensitive device2100 includes a conductive electrode 2175 included within the distal tip2112 that can be configured to create an electrical pathway with thetouch screen panel 172. The electrical pathway can be severed when theconductive electrode 2175 breaks contact from the touch screen panel172.

In some embodiments, based upon the detected change in capacitance, thedeformation feedback component 250 can be configured to generatedeformation feedback that opposes the direction, distance, or force ofthe distal tip 2112 of the touch sensitive device 2100. In one example,the controller 210 can receive instructions from the electronic device170 that can cause the controller 210 to exaggerate the amount ofdeformation feedback that is generated if the touch sensitive device2100 is to simulate the perception of a heavy, wood paint brush incontrast to a light, plastic pencil. In this manner, the controller 210can artificially increase the amount of strain that is generated by thedeformation feedback component 250.

FIGS. 22A-22B illustrate the effect the electroactive substrate 2250induces in the angle of touch down, in accordance with some embodiments.FIG. 22A illustrates a touch sensitive device 2200 having anelectroactive substrate 2250 where a load path (L_(p)) is definedbetween a hand grip point (H_(p)) and a touch down point (T_(p)). Sincethe electroactive substrate 2250 is in a load path (L_(p)) of the touchsensitive device 2200, the electroactive substrate 2250 can deform bythe same amount of load that the user experiences.

FIG. 22B illustrates how the angle of touch down (θ₁) is adjusted whenthe electroactive substrate 2250 bends or flexes in conjunction withcontact with a surface of another object. Accordingly, the load path(L_(p)) between the hand grip point (H_(p)) and the touch down point(T_(p)) is also adjusted.

FIG. 23A illustrates a method 2300 for generating deformation feedbackby a touch sensitive device 140, in accordance with some embodiments. Asshown in FIG. 23A, the method begins at step 2302, where in conjunctionwith the distal tip of the 112 either coming into contact, changing thetype of contact, or separating from contact with the touch screen panel172 of the electronic device 170, the controller 210 of the touchsensitive device 140 can be configured to receive an electrical signalthat indicates a change in capacitance, voltage resistance, or acombination thereof as detected by a sensor 260 or the deformationfeedback component. In some embodiments, the contact can refer to anamount of force or mechanical strain that is applied against thedeformation feedback component 250. In some embodiments, the contact caninclude a combination of thereof.

At step 2304, at least one contact parameter can be generated by thecontroller 210 from the change in contact (e.g., capacitance, voltage,resistance, impedance, and the like). The contact parameter can refer toat least one of distance (D₁) traveled by the tip 112, acceleration (A₁)of the tip 112, velocity (V₁) of the tip 112, force (F₁) applied by thetip 112 against the touch screen panel 172, and an angle (θ₁) betweenthe tip 112 and the touch screen panel 172.

At step 2306, the controller 210 can be configured to generate at leastone deformation feedback parameter based on the contact parameter. Thedeformation feedback parameters can refer to an electrical signal thatindicates an amount of voltage, amplitude, pulse width, duty cycle, andthe like.

At step 2308, the controller 210 can be configured to transmit the atleast one deformation feedback parameter to a power supply 230 to causethe power supply 230 to provide an input voltage to the deformationfeedback component 250 via one or more electrodes 270 so as to cause thedeformation feedback component 250 to deform from an initialconfiguration to a modified configuration so as to generate deformationfeedback.

FIG. 23B illustrates a method 2350 for generating deformation feedbackby a touch sensitive device 140, in accordance with some embodiments.The method 2350 can begin at step 2352 where the controller 210 of thetouch sensitive device 200 receives a feedback preference from theelectronic device 1950. The feedback preference can be received by themedia application 1920 as executed by the electronic device 1950. Atstep 2354, the controller 210 can be configured to receive a contactparameter that corresponds to a detected change in contact between thetouch sensitive device 200 and a touch screen panel 172. The contactparameter can correspond to a change in capacitance, voltage resistance,or a combination thereof in conjunction with contact between the touchsensitive device 200 and the touch screen panel 172.

At step 2356, the controller 210 of the touch sensitive device 200 cancombine the respective electrical signals associated with the selectedfeedback preference and the contact parameter to form a combineddeformation feedback parameter. The combined deformation feedbackparameter can be transmitted to a power supply 230. The combineddeformation feedback parameter can refer to an electrical signal thatindicates an amount of voltage, amplitude, pulse width, duty cycle, andthe like that is provided to the electrodes 270.

At step 2358, the controller 210 can be configured to transmit thecombined deformation feedback parameter to a power supply 230 to causethe power supply 230 to generate an input voltage that is transmitted tothe deformation feedback component 250 via one or more electrodes 270 soas to cause the deformation feedback component 250 to deform from aninitial configuration to a modified configuration so as to generatedeformation feedback.

FIG. 24 illustrates a method 2400 for generating a combined deformationfeedback parameter by the electronic device 1950, in accordance withsome embodiments. As shown in FIG. 24, the method begins at step 2402,where in conjunction with the tip 112 of the touch sensitive device 140coming into contact, changing the type of contact, separating fromcontact with the touch screen panel 172 of the electronic device 170, acapacitive sensor of the touch screen panel 172 detects a change incapacitance (e.g., change in voltage). At step 2404, the processor candetermine a contact parameter based upon the detected change incapacitance. The contact parameter can refer to at least one of adistance (D₁) traveled by the tip 112, acceleration (A₁) of the tip 112,velocity (V₁) of the tip 112, force (F₁) applied by the tip 112 againstthe touch screen panel 172, and an angle (θ₁) between the tip 112 andthe touch screen panel 172.

At step 2406, the processor of the electronic device 1950 receives aselection of a feedback preference from the application 1920.Subsequently, at step 2408, the processor can generate a combineddeformation feedback parameter that combines an electrical signalassociated with the selection of the feedback preference and anelectrical signal associated with the contact parameter. Thereafter, atstep 2410, the processor can transmit the combined deformation feedbackparameter to the touch sensitive device 140 to cause the deformationfeedback component 150 to generate deformation feedback.

FIG. 25 illustrates a block diagram of an electronic device 2500 thatcan be used to implement the various components described herein,according to some embodiments. In particular, the detailed viewillustrates various components that can be included in the electronicdevice 1950 illustrated in FIG. 19. As shown in FIG. 25, the electronicdevice 2500 can include a processor 2530 for controlling the overalloperation of the electronic device 2500. The processor 2530 can refer toone or more of a general processor unit (GPU), central processing unit(CPU), or dedicated microcontroller. In some embodiments, the electronicdevice 2500 includes a power supply 2520. The electronic device 2500 canalso include a user input device 2590 that allows a user of theelectronic device 2500 to interact with the electronic device 2500. Forexample, the user input device 2590 can take a variety of forms, such asa touch screen panel 172, keyboard, buttons, keys, microphone 2582, orgesture input. The user input device 2590 can include a sensor 2560(e.g., capacitance sensor). Still further the user input device 2590 caninclude a touch screen panel 172 that can be controlled by the processor2530 to display information to the user. A data bus 2502 can facilitatedata transfer between at least a storage device 2550 and the processor2530. The electronic device 2500 can also include a network/businterface 2511 that couples a wireless antenna 2570 to the processor2530.

In some embodiments, the electronic device 2500 can optionally includean audible feedback component 2580 that is configured to generate asound effect based on an audible feedback parameter. In some examples,the audible feedback parameter can be generated by the processor 2530 ofthe electronic device 2500 in conjunction with the contact made with thetouch sensitive device 140.

The electronic device 2500 also includes a storage device 2550, whichcan comprise a single disk or multiple disks (e.g., hard drives), andincludes a storage management module that manages one or more partitionswithin the storage device 2550. In some embodiments, the storage device2550 can include flash memory, semiconductor (solid state) memory or thelike. The storage device 2550 can also include a Random Access Memory(RAM) and a Read-Only Memory (ROM). The ROM can store programs,utilities or processes to be executed in a non-volatile manner. The RAMcan provide volatile data storage, and stores instructions related tothe operation of the electronic device 2500.

The various aspects, embodiments, implementations or features of thedescribed embodiments can be used separately or in any combination.Various aspects of the described embodiments can be implemented bysoftware, hardware or a combination of hardware and software. Thedescribed embodiments can also be embodied as computer readable code ona computer readable medium. The computer readable medium is any datastorage device that can store data which can thereafter be read by acomputer system. Examples of the computer readable medium includeread-only memory, random-access memory, CD-ROMs, DVDs, magnetic tape,hard disk drives, solid state drives, and optical data storage devices.The computer readable medium can also be distributed overnetwork-coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code isstored and executed in a distributed fashion.

The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specificnomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the describedembodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art thatthe specific details are not required in order to practice the describedembodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specificembodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustrationand description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theembodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to oneof ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations arepossible in view of the above teachings.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic pencil, comprising: a housinghaving walls capable of carrying operational components, the operationalcomponents including: a distal tip extending from an opening defined bythe walls of the housing; a processor capable of providing operationalinstructions; a sensor coupled to the processor, wherein the sensor iscapable of detecting a stimulus originating from a source external tothe housing that is applied to the walls, and responding by (i)determining properties of the stimulus, and (ii) communicating theproperties of the stimulus to the processor; and a feedback componentthat creates a physical deformation of a region of the walls of thehousing according to the properties of the stimulus in response to aninstruction received from the processor.
 2. The electronic pencil ofclaim 1, wherein the feedback component is comprised of anelectro-active substrate, a piezoelectric element, a shape-memory alloy,a coiled-spring, a rheological fluid, or an elastic compound.
 3. Theelectronic pencil of claim 1, wherein the stimulus comprises a forceapplied to the walls, wherein a magnitude and an angle of the force isdetectable by the sensor, and the physical deformation of the region ofthe walls is proportional to the magnitude and the angle of the force.4. The electronic pencil of claim 3, wherein the sensor is capable ofdetecting a direction of the force, and the physical deformation of theregion of the walls is altered in accordance with the direction of theforce.
 5. The electronic pencil of claim 4, where the physicaldeformation of the region is capable of being altered in an asymmetricalmanner in accordance with the direction of the force.
 6. The electronicpencil of claim 1, wherein the processor is capable of receiving afeedback preference, and the processor instructs the feedback componentto physical deform the region of the walls according to the feedbackpreference.
 7. The electronic pencil of claim 6, wherein the processoris capable of balancing a first amount of the properties of the stimuluswith a second amount of the feedback preference.
 8. The electronicpencil of claim 1, wherein the feedback component and the walls of thehousing share at least one of a similar color, texture, or reflectivefinish.
 9. A method for generating feedback at an accessory device thatincludes a housing, a sensor carried by walls of the housing, a distaltip extending from an opening defined by the walls of the housing, afeedback component capable of providing a feedback force, and aprocessor in communication with the sensor and the feedback component,the method comprising: in response to detecting, by the sensor, astimulus applied to the walls of the housing from a source thatoriginates from outside the housing: receiving, by the processor, adetection signal that is generated by the sensor and based on thestimulus, and instructing, by the processor, the feedback component toprovide an amount of the feedback force such as to deform a region ofthe walls of the housing in accordance with the stimulus.
 10. The methodof claim 9, wherein the feedback component is comprised of anelectro-active substrate, a piezoelectric element, a shape-memory alloy,a coiled-spring, a rheological fluid, or an elastic compound.
 11. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the stimulus includes a load applied to thewalls of the housing, and wherein a magnitude and orientation of theload are detectable by the sensor, and the amount of feedback forcecorresponds to the magnitude and orientation of the load.
 12. The methodof claim 11, further comprising: receiving, by the processor, adirection of the stimulus that is determined by the sensor; andinstructing, by the processor, the feedback component to provide theamount of feedback force such that the deformation of the region of thewalls is altered in accordance with the direction of the stimulus force.13. The method of claim 12, wherein the region of the walls is deformedin an asymmetrical manner in accordance with the direction of thestimulus force.
 14. The method of claim 9, further comprising:receiving, by the processor, a feedback preference; and instructing, bythe processor, the feedback component to alter the amount of feedbackforce according to the feedback preference.
 15. The method of claim 14,further comprising: balancing, by the processor, a first amount ofproperties of the stimulus with a second amount of the feedbackpreference.
 16. An electronic accessory device for use with a touchsensitive portion of an electronic device, the electronic accessorydevice comprising: a housing capable of carrying operational components,the operational components including: a distal tip extending from anopening defined by walls of the housing; a processor capable ofproviding operation instructions; a sensor coupled to the processor,wherein the sensor is capable of detecting a region of the housing thatis exposed to a stimulus originating from a source external to thehousing, and responding by (i) determining properties of the stimulus,and (ii) transmitting the properties of the stimulus to the processor;and a feedback component that is responsive to an instruction receivedfrom the processor, wherein the instruction causes the feedbackcomponent to selectively deform the region of the housing, and an amountof the deformation is based on the properties of the stimulus.
 17. Theelectronic accessory device of claim 16, wherein the feedback componentincludes an electroactive substrate that is capable of selectivelydeforming the region of the housing, and the electroactive substrate iscapable of expanding and contracting against the region of the housing.18. The electronic accessory device of claim 17, further comprising: anelectrode that is in electrical communication with the electroactivesubstrate, wherein the electrode is capable of altering a shape of theelectroactive substrate.
 19. The electronic accessory device of claim16, wherein the feedback component is carried by the walls of thehousing.
 20. The electronic accessory device of claim 16, wherein theregion of the housing is exposed to mechanical strain that is applied bythe source external to the housing, and the amount of the deformation isbased upon an amount of the mechanical strain.